Every neighborhood in Sydney is special and has something for everyone. No matter if you arrive in the city on business or with a desire to have fun, Sydney neighborhoods have it all. From fine dining to surfing lessons, this is the city that will certainly make your stay a memorable one and allow you to experience Sydney to the fullest.
So from 658, these are the 7 top rated Sydney neighborhoods you shouldn’t miss when in the city which will inspire you to come back in the future.
The Rocks
The Rocks is a great neighborhood to start learning about the convict history of Sydney and its urban legends. However, this neighborhood is full of colonial architecture still present today even though much of the Rocks was modernized. The Museum of Contemporary Art is here and you will always find an exhibition on display by artists from all over the world.
There are some interesting things to do in the evenings as well like going to the Sydney Observatory or on a ghost tour. The latter will take you through the lantern-lit corners of the Rocks while the guide tells you stories about the dark history of this neighborhood.
Surry Hills
If you are looking for places to try the best coffee in Sydney, then Surry Hills should be on your list of neighborhoods. Single O will serve you probably the best cup of coffee you had in your life and you will find here a lot of aficionados of this wonderful drink. This is why Surry Hills is always enveloped in the scent of roasted coffee beans and are perfect to have breakfast in one of its many cafés like Bills.
There are also great pubs in the area like Dove and Olive and Forresters, as well as some of the best restaurants in town. Cleveland Street is lined with Lebanese and Indian eateries and if you love ice cream then you shouldn’t miss Messina.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the most popular neighborhoods in Sydney and not only for the lovely sand and amazing surfing waves. Its most iconic spot is actually the Bondi Icebergs swimming pools which are filled with saltwater every time waves crash into them. This neighborhood is also a place full of cultural events, yoga studios and cafés with amazing smoothies.
An annual exhibition Sculpture by the Sea also takes place here and you can see various types of art from the local and international artists. If you always wanted to surf, then this is a good place to start. There are many surfing schools with skilled instructors that will teach you how to conquer the ways in only a few days.
Crows Nest
Crows Nest is up and coming neighborhood in the Lower North Shore right between North Sydney and Chatswood. The neighborhood is very popular with business people due to its proximity to CBD and high-quality Sydney North Shore accommodation. However, this is also a great place to try Asian cuisine since the area is full of Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants.
If you want a place to relax then you should definitely stop by Cork and Canvas studio where you can paint and sip wine at the same time. The art class is held by local artists and everyone is welcome to participate even people without any painting experience.
Balmain
If you like beer especially the craft one, then Balmain will charm you the moment you set foot in this top-rated Sydney neighborhood. The streets are full of pubs which vary in design from old English style to modern Aussie vibes. London is one of the most popular here especially since you can drink one of the locally crafted beers and enjoy the view over the Harbour Bridge.
Coffee shops on Darling Street are popular breakfast spots, while the Italian heritage of the area is present in many pizza and pasta eateries. Basically, if you love Italian food this is the place where you will find one of the best in the world.
Darling Harbour
If you want to see some magnificent fireworks, then head over to Darling Harbour where this attraction takes place every week from May to October. Those celebrating New Year’s Eve in Sydney usually gather here to watch the fireworks show at midnight. Take a break from the lively Darling Square by visiting serene Chinese Garden of Friendship offering a secluded spot to rest from the busy day.
There is a number of cruises available so you can take a better look at the city and have an enjoyable afternoon on the water. Stop by the Australian National Maritime Museum to see its rich collection of vessels and some interesting exhibitions this establishment often has on display.
Chippendale
Once a convict district and now a modern neighborhood, Chippendale is a small and charming spot to spend a relaxing day in Sydney. White Rabbit is a great place to start since it serves tasty dumplings and tea you can enjoy surrounded by Chinese artwork. However, the neighborhood is famous for its Central Park where you can have a picnic and relax after the whole day of sightseeing.
If you want to see an eco-friendly architecture in person, then stop by the popular residential building called One Central Park. There are 250 species of Australian flora planted on the façade creating wonderful hanging gardens.
Lastly
These top-rated Sydney neighborhoods will make you fall in love with this Australian metropolis with their history, vibrancy and all the interesting things to see and do. The fusion of different art, culture, and cuisine is very present here so you will always discover something new and exciting.
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